EliseoSalazar

Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela, nacido el 14 de noviembre de 1954, stands as a singular figure in Chilean motorsport history, being the only driver from his nation to compete in Formula One. His career, spanning three decades, saw him navigate the demanding circuits of Formula One, the high-speed ovals of American open-wheel racing, the endurance challenges of sportscar racing, and the rugged terrains of rally. A versatile competitor, Salazar’s journey through motorsport is marked by resilience and a consistent pursuit of diverse racing challenges.

Formula One Endeavors (1981–1983)

Salazar’s entry into the pinnacle of motorsport was preceded by a notable performance in the 1980 British F1 Championship, where he secured a victory at Silverstone driving a Williams FW07. This success paved the way for his Formula One debut at the 1981 United States Grand Prix West. His initial season saw him compete with March before switching mid-season to Ensign, where he achieved a commendable sixth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his first points-scoring result in the championship. The 1982 season brought Salazar to ATS. It was during this year that he secured his best Formula One result, finishing fifth at the San Marino Grand Prix. This particular race, however, was notable for its reduced field, with only seven teams participating due to the ongoing FISA–FOCA war, a significant political conflict within the sport. Despite the unusual circumstances, Salazar’s fifth-place finish demonstrated his capability to capitalize on opportunities. His Formula One tenure is perhaps most vividly remembered for an incident at the 1982 German Grand Prix. While race leader Nelson Piquet attempted to lap Salazar, the two drivers collided. The aftermath saw an enraged Piquet physically confront Salazar, an event that became one of the most iconic and controversial moments of the season. In 1983, Salazar joined RAM Racing. The season proved challenging due to the uncompetitive nature of the car. Across six entries, he managed to qualify only twice. He completed the Jacarepagua Grand Prix in fourteenth position and retired from the Long Beach event due to a gearbox failure. Following this period, the economic crisis in Chile necessitated Salazar’s departure from Formula One. He subsequently competed in select races in the Formula 3000 and South American Formula Three championships, though with limited success. Demonstrating his adaptability, he then transitioned to rally racing in Chile, where he became the 1985 hill-climbing champion, driving a Toyota Corolla XT.

Endurance Racing and American Open-Wheel Career

Following his Formula One stint and a period in Chilean rally, Salazar diversified his career into sports prototype racing in the late 1980s. He participated in the FIA World Sports Prototype Championship, achieving a significant victory in the C-1 class at the 1988 Fuji 1000 km in Japan, driving a Spice SE88C-Ford for Spice Engineering. His connections, particularly with Tom Walkinshaw, facilitated his integration into the prestigious Jaguar Silk Cut factory team for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the 1989 edition of the endurance classic, Salazar, alongside Alain and Michel Ferté, guided their Jaguar XJR-9 to an eighth-place finish. The 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans presented a unique and memorable chapter in Salazar’s career. Driving the No. 3 Jaguar XJR-12, he contributed significantly to the team’s effort. However, after several hours behind the wheel, he was instructed to yield his seat to Martin Brundle, who ultimately took the car to victory. Salazar was then moved to the No. 4 car, which retired after twenty hours due to mechanical problems. Despite not being credited with the win, his performance and the unusual circumstances led to him being named the 1990 Sportsman of the Year by the British magazine Autosport, recognizing his contribution and sportsmanship. After a period away from competition, during which he co-hosted the Chilean TV show "Video Loco," Salazar made a return to international racing in 1994. He joined the Ferrari-Momo factory team for the IMSA Sport Prototype championship in the WSC series, partnering with Gianpiero Moretti. Over 1994 and 1995, he achieved multiple wins and podium finishes with the Ferrari 333 SP in the Exxon World Sports Car Championship, performances that were instrumental in securing his move to American open-wheel racing. His Indy Car World Series debut came in 1995 with Dick Simon Racing. Salazar made a strong impression at the Indianapolis 500, starting 33rd in his Lola-Cosworth and climbing to an impressive fourth-place finish. When the CART and IRL series split in 1996, Salazar opted to compete in the newly formed Indy Racing League (IRL). He became a consistent front-runner at the Indianapolis 500, securing four top-ten results throughout his IRL career. His best performance at the iconic Brickyard was in 2000, where he started and finished third, driving a G-Force-Oldsmobile Aurora for A. J. Foyt Enterprises. Salazar’s sole victory in IRL racing came in 1997 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, competing for Team Scandia. That same year, he also made a foray into NASCAR, participating in a Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International, finishing 17th. The years 2000 and 2001 marked his most successful seasons in the IRL, finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the championships, including five top-five finishes in 2000. His Indy Car career concluded prematurely in 2002 after a serious testing accident at Indianapolis forced him to miss several races, leading to his decision to retire from open-wheel racing and concentrate on sportscars, including racing in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche 911 GT3 and a Ferrari 360.

Post-Racing Pursuits and Legacy

Returning to Chile in 2004, Salazar continued his involvement in motorsport by joining the official Hyundai rally team in the national Rally Mobil championship, driving an N3-class Hyundai Coupe GK 2.0L. His versatility was further demonstrated by his participation in the inaugural Grand Prix Masters race in November 2005 as a late replacement for Alan Jones, and subsequent appearances in 2006 in Qatar and England. In 2007, he moved to the N4-class of the Chilean Rally Championship with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, finishing fifth in his debut year in the class with the ING Team. Eliseo Salazar has also pursued an ambitious goal: to become the first driver to have competed in the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Indianapolis 500, and the Dakar Rally. While a pre-contract with Jean-Louis Schlesser for the 2008 Dakar Rally did not materialize due to sponsorship issues and the event's cancellation, Salazar made his Dakar debut in 2009 with a McRae Prototype, finishing 88th. He returned in 2010 as part of Team Dakar USA, driving a Hummer H3. Beyond active competition, Salazar has contributed to motorsport development in Chile, notably introducing autocross (solo racing) to the country in 2013, with the first event held in Santiago. He also participated in the Sports Car Club of America Solo National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, driving a C Prepared Ford Mustang that same year. On a personal note, Eliseo Salazar welcomed a son, also named Eliseo, on May 15, 2001. The younger Salazar notably attended his first Indianapolis 500 at just eight days old, a testament to the family's deep connection to racing. Eliseo Salazar's career is a testament to a racer's enduring passion and adaptability, spanning diverse disciplines and leaving a distinct mark on international motorsport.